Best Game Not Available on Any Digital Service (Round One)

[This Old Neon]

Round One of the “Best Game Not Available on Any Digital Service” side-event includes the initial batch of low-seeded games from the nomination phase. There are 5 polls of 9-10 games each. If a game you nominated doesn’t appear in this round, it probably received enough nominations to get a bye into the next round.

• You can vote for UP TO FOUR (4) games per poll, or skip a poll entirely.
• The top 4 games from each poll will advance to Round Two.
• You can’t change your votes once they’ve been submitted, so click carefully. Voting closes on Saturday at midnight ADT.

VOTE HERE

Poll 1 of 5
Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday (1990, Genesis)
Dark Wizard (1993, Sega CD)
Felix the Cat (1992, NES)
Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble (2000, GBC)
Metal Storm (1991, NES)
Shadowrun (1994, Genesis)
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy - Starship Bridge Simulator (1994, SNES)
Starflight (1991, Genesis)
Uniracers/Unirally (1994, SNES)

Poll 2 of 5
Batman: The Video Game (1989, NES)
Contra 4 (2007, DS)
E.V.O.: Search for Eden (1992, SNES)
Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure (2009, DS)
MechWarrior (1993, SNES)
Porky Pig's Haunted Holiday (1995, SNES)
Skies of Arcadia (2000, DC)
Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader (2001, GCN)
Willow (1989, NES)
Zero Team (1993, Arcade)

Poll 3 of 5
A Mind Forever Voyaging (1985, PC)
Contra: Hard Corps (1994, Genesis)
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (2007, Wii)
Gauntlet (1987, NES)
Lunar 2: Eternal Blue (1994, Sega CD)
Panzer Dragoon Saga (1998, Saturn)
Snatcher (1988, Sega CD)
Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis (2001, GBA)
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (2001, Multiplatform)

Poll 4 of 5
Armed Dragon Fantasy Villgust (1993, FC)
Doom 64 (1997, N64)
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (2005, GCN)
Gotcha Force (2003, GCN)
Mother 3 (2006, GBA)
Rocket Knight Adventures (1993, GEN)
Space Channel 5 (1999, DC)
Super Monkey Ball (2001, GCN)
The Guardian Legend (1988, NES)
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure (2007, Wii)

Poll 5 of 5
Bomberman (NES)
Diddy Kong Racing (1997, N64)
Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem (2002, GCN)
Golvellius: Valley of Doom (1988, SMS)
Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon (1997, N64)
No One Lives Forever (2000, PC)
Silent Hill 4: The Room (2004, Multiplatform)
Tetris and Dr. Mario (1994, SNES)
Yoshi's Universal Gravitation (2004, GBA)

[The Shoemaker]

Very interesting list of games! I actually had a hard time thinking of some but clearly there's a lot of gaps in terms of what (good) games have not been preserved digitally.

[Spore]

I'm just here to vote for Porky Pig's Haunted Holiday in a Best Game Ever poll.

[The Shoemaker]

I'm just here to vote for Porky Pig's Haunted Holiday in a Best Game Ever poll.

I've nominated it for every BGE! Never gets far

[Pluvius]

Since this is my category, it would behoove me to actually discuss my votes this time.

Poll 1 of 5
Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday (1990, Genesis)
Dark Wizard (1993, Sega CD)
Felix the Cat (1992, NES)
Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble (2000, GBC)
Metal Storm (1991, NES)
Shadowrun (1994, Genesis)
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy - Starship Bridge Simulator (1994, SNES)
Starflight (1991, Genesis)
Uniracers/Unirally (1994, SNES)

My noms, and none of the other games come even close. No-brainer.

Poll 2 of 5
Batman: The Video Game (1989, NES)
Contra 4 (2007, DS)
E.V.O.: Search for Eden (1992, SNES)
Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure (2009, DS)
MechWarrior (1993, SNES)
Porky Pig's Haunted Holiday (1995, SNES)
Skies of Arcadia (2000, DC)
Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader (2001, GCN)
Willow (1989, NES)
Zero Team (1993, Arcade)

MechWarrior (a dumbed-down version of the original MW for the PC, which I would've nominated if it wasn't so outdated by comparison) is my nom. Batman is probably the best pure action game available on the NES in the West, with a wall-jump mechanic that's been aped by countless games since. EVO is a unique action-RPG that is reminiscent of Ecco in a lot of ways. Willow is one of the best action-RPGs on the NES and a rare example of a good movie-license game. I haven't played any of the other games, but these are not default votes.

Poll 3 of 5
A Mind Forever Voyaging (1985, PC)
Contra: Hard Corps (1994, Genesis)
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (2007, Wii)
Gauntlet (1987, NES)
Lunar 2: Eternal Blue (1994, Sega CD)
Panzer Dragoon Saga (1998, Saturn)
Snatcher (1988, Sega CD)
Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis (2001, GBA)
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (2001, Multiplatform)

A Mind Forever Voyaging is my nom. Contra: Hard Corps is the best Contra of the four that I've played, and criminally underrated due to being on the Genesis. Gauntlet is a bit of a default vote, but an arcade-style game being so complex and having an ending that took some thought and planning to get to (the latter of which wasn't even in the original game) coming out in that era is notable.

Poll 4 of 5
Armed Dragon Fantasy Villgust (1993, FC)
Doom 64 (1997, N64)
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (2005, GCN)
Gotcha Force (2003, GCN)
Mother 3 (2006, GBA)
Rocket Knight Adventures (1993, GEN)
Space Channel 5 (1999, DC)
Super Monkey Ball (2001, GCN)
The Guardian Legend (1988, NES)
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure (2007, Wii)

Rocket Knight Adventures isn't a Treasure game, but that's probably only by chance, and that's all that needs to be said about it. The Guardian Legend is probably my second-favorite shmup behind Tyrian, though that's admittedly because it's a rare example of a shmup hybrid.

Poll 5 of 5
Bomberman (NES)
Diddy Kong Racing (1997, N64)
Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem (2002, GCN)
Golvellius: Valley of Doom (1988, SMS)
Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon (1997, N64)
No One Lives Forever (2000, PC)
Silent Hill 4: The Room (2004, Multiplatform)
Tetris and Dr. Mario (1994, SNES)
Yoshi's Universal Gravitation (2004, GBA)

The only game I've played here worthy of a vote. NOLF was what Goldeneye would've been if it was actually good instead of just hyped up by Nintendo fanboys.

Rob

[Kiwi the Tortoise]

A Mind Forever Voyaging (1985, PC)

Maybe I am wrong here, but I could swear there was a digital release in form of an Infocom collection for iPhone/Pad.
Not entirely sure, since I don't use any Apple stuff but I could swear I heard about it several years ago.

EDIT:

Checked it out and they only released the first collection on iOS. This game is in the second however.

[Kong Wen]

Poll 1 of 5
Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday (1990, Genesis)
Dark Wizard (1993, Sega CD)
Felix the Cat (1992, NES)
Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble (2000, GBC)
Metal Storm (1991, NES)
Shadowrun (1994, Genesis)
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy - Starship Bridge Simulator (1994, SNES)
Starflight (1991, Genesis)
Uniracers/Unirally (1994, SNES)

Buck Rogers is a gott-damned Gold Box game. Maybe it'll eventually come to GOG?

Dark Wizard is an amazing Sega tactical RPG. Sega has their corporate head entrenched in the Genesis/Mega Drive's ass. They should start porting their Sega CD and Saturn stuff to modern consoles!

Shadowrun on Genesis is completely different from the SNES one. Not different as in a port with lots of changes, but a completely different game, genre, mechanics, etc. It's also good.

Poll 2 of 5
Batman: The Video Game (1989, NES)
Contra 4 (2007, DS)
E.V.O.: Search for Eden (1992, SNES)
Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure (2009, DS)
MechWarrior (1993, SNES)
Porky Pig's Haunted Holiday (1995, SNES)
Skies of Arcadia (2000, DC)
Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader (2001, GCN)
Willow (1989, NES)
Zero Team (1993, Arcade)

Poll 3 of 5
A Mind Forever Voyaging (1985, PC)
Contra: Hard Corps (1994, Genesis)
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (2007, Wii)
Gauntlet (1987, NES)
Lunar 2: Eternal Blue (1994, Sega CD)
Panzer Dragoon Saga (1998, Saturn)
Snatcher (1988, Sega CD)
Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis (2001, GBA)
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (2001, Multiplatform)

Murder bracket.

Radiant Dawn is one of the best Fire Emblem games. Maybe Nintendo will eventually release an HD collection with Path of Radiance on the Switch.

Lunar 2 isn't as good as Lunar, but it's good.

Panzer Dragoon Saga is unlikely ever to appear on a digital service.

The Knight of Lodis is a surprisingly competent Tactics Ogre game that gets overlooked because of the platform it was stuck on. It doesn't seem like the kind of game Nintendo's going to regurgitate out onto its various VC-like platforms to try to create the illusion of having a coherent online strategy.

Poll 4 of 5
Armed Dragon Fantasy Villgust (1993, FC)
Doom 64 (1997, N64)
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (2005, GCN)
Gotcha Force (2003, GCN)
Mother 3 (2006, GBA)
Rocket Knight Adventures (1993, GEN)
Space Channel 5 (1999, DC)
Super Monkey Ball (2001, GCN)
The Guardian Legend (1988, NES)
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure (2007, Wii)

Path of Radiance is one of the best Fire Emblem games. Maybe Nintendo will eventually release an HD collection with Radiant Dawn on the Switch.

Poll 5 of 5
Bomberman (NES)
Diddy Kong Racing (1997, N64)
Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem (2002, GCN)
Golvellius: Valley of Doom (1988, SMS)
Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon (1997, N64)
No One Lives Forever (2000, PC)
Silent Hill 4: The Room (2004, Multiplatform)
Tetris and Dr. Mario (1994, SNES)
Yoshi's Universal Gravitation (2004, GBA)

[This Old Neon]

Poll 1 of 5
Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday (1990, Genesis)
Dark Wizard (1993, Sega CD)
Felix the Cat (1992, NES)
Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble (2000, GBC)
Metal Storm (1991, NES)
Shadowrun (1994, Genesis)
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy - Starship Bridge Simulator (1994, SNES)
Starflight (1991, Genesis)
Uniracers/Unirally (1994, SNES)

Poll 2 of 5
Batman: The Video Game (1989, NES)
Contra 4 (2007, DS)
E.V.O.: Search for Eden (1992, SNES)
Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure (2009, DS)
MechWarrior (1993, SNES)
Porky Pig's Haunted Holiday (1995, SNES)
Skies of Arcadia (2000, DC)
Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader (2001, GCN)
Willow (1989, NES)
Zero Team (1993, Arcade)

Poll 3 of 5
A Mind Forever Voyaging (1985, PC)
Contra: Hard Corps (1994, Genesis)
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (2007, Wii)
Gauntlet (1987, NES)
Lunar 2: Eternal Blue (1994, Sega CD)
Panzer Dragoon Saga (1998, Saturn)
Snatcher (1988, Sega CD)
Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis (2001, GBA)
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (2001, Multiplatform)

Poll 4 of 5
Armed Dragon Fantasy Villgust (1993, FC)
Doom 64 (1997, N64)
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (2005, GCN)
Gotcha Force (2003, GCN)
Mother 3 (2006, GBA)
Rocket Knight Adventures (1993, GEN)
Space Channel 5 (1999, DC)
Super Monkey Ball (2001, GCN)
The Guardian Legend (1988, NES)
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure (2007, Wii)

Poll 5 of 5
Bomberman (NES)
Diddy Kong Racing (1997, N64)
Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem (2002, GCN)
Golvellius: Valley of Doom (1988, SMS)
Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon (1997, N64)
No One Lives Forever (2000, PC)
Silent Hill 4: The Room (2004, Multiplatform)
Tetris and Dr. Mario (1994, SNES)
Yoshi's Universal Gravitation (2004, GBA)

Here are the 4-5 games per poll that will be joining the second round alongside games that got multiple nominations:

Poll 1 of 5
Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday (1990, Genesis)
Felix the Cat (1992, NES)
Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble (2000, GBC)
Shadowrun (1994, Genesis)

Poll 2 of 5
Batman: The Video Game (1989, NES)
Contra 4 (2007, DS)
E.V.O.: Search for Eden (1992, SNES)
Skies of Arcadia (2000, DC)
Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader (2001, GCN)

Poll 3 of 5
Contra: Hard Corps (1994, Genesis)
Gauntlet (1987, NES)
Panzer Dragoon Saga (1998, Saturn)
Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis (2001, GBA)

Poll 4 of 5
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (2005, GCN)
Mother 3 (2006, GBA)
Rocket Knight Adventures (1993, GEN)
Super Monkey Ball (2001, GCN)
The Guardian Legend (1988, NES)

Poll 5 of 5
Bomberman (NES)
Diddy Kong Racing (1997, N64)
Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem (2002, GCN)
Golvellius: Valley of Doom (1988, SMS)
No One Lives Forever (2000, PC)

[Kong Wen]

This is an awesome side-event! Thanks Ploov!

By the way, I've just heard word from an Apple rep that they'll port whatever game wins this category to Apple Arcade!

[Ouenben]

By the way, I've just heard word from an Apple rep that they'll port whatever game wins this category to Apple Arcade!

I don't get it, is this an in-joke I missed ?